Belmont Thursday

- The first is a solid 35K claimer, my favorite price level, not too fancy, not too cheap. You get horses moving up and moving down and often end up with an interesting mix. Joaquin Memphis (6-1) drops for a tag for trainer Richard Violette Jr., off to a 4-1-2-1 start at the meet. It's the first time for sale after 14 starts for this four-year old; and perhaps a humbling concession to reality for the owners (and the horse). Here's a nice gelded son of Chester House, a NY-bred out of a Virginia Rapids mare, with earnings of over $130,000. But he's out of NY-bred conditions and won in open company entry level allowance. He faced really tough horses in N2X company, running third to Stormy Normandy, twice a stakes winner since then; and, more recently, up the track against Mobo, who got Beyers of 107 and 109 in his next two; and Giant Deputy, a 100 Beyer winner next out. Now the owners risk him for a fair price, but for a $46,000 purse! This horse has some nice form at this one turn mile route, and the tactical speed to deal with the tough rail post.

Mister Nobody (12-1) moves up in class off the claim for trainer Giuseppe Iadisernia, 0 for 20 lifetime in that category. He was on a nice form spree around one turn during the spring, before a turf race and an even 4th in a tough six furlong sprint at Saratoga. Sharp five furlong work and confident placing makes him intriguing in this spot. Nkosi Reigns (12-1) goes off the claim for David Jacobson, who won with the likewise Masala T here on Wednesday. Jacobson is a 20% guy this year, but took it easy at Saratoga with a record of 1 for 13. He's come back with some stock from Pennsylvania and Delaware, already has a couple of winners, and I think he bears watching.

Jacobson will spot his horses where he thinks they can win; Masala T was dropping from 25 to 15K. In the 3rd, he moves Rodeo Drive (2-1) up from 32 to 40K off the claim. Like Masala T, he was claimed out of a race at Delaware, and he fairly lays over this field based on his recent speed figures. [UPDATE: Rodeo Drive was scratched.]

In the 6th, Grand Turk (4-1) goes for the live Wallace Dollase barn. This son of Grand Slam's best race was his only ever effort on a fast dirt track; a closing third to repeat winner (dq'd) I.M Boomer at CD. He was then five wide in the slop to Forest Command, next out a dominant winner at Saratoga. Back on the dirt after a grass try, he's another who has to overcome the inside post at a mile, but doesn't seem to have much to beat.